Tewksbury Gets Green Communities Grant

From the Government of Massachusetts:

September 17 2019

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $14.9 Million in Green Communities Grants

91 Communities Receive Funding for Clean Energy Projects

SOUTHBOROUGH – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded Green Communities competitive grants totaling $14,948,478 to 91 municipalities across Massachusetts to fund clean energy projects. The grants are funded through proceeds from Alternative Compliance Payments under the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard. With today’s announcement, DOER has awarded over $118 million to 240 Green Communities in Designation Grants and Competitive Grants since 2010.

“Today’s grant announcement is the largest award in the Green Communities program history and represents our Administration’s commitment to supporting clean energy efforts for cities and towns across Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The projects funded by these grants will allow cities and towns across the Commonwealth to reinvest their energy savings in vital public services like schools, public safety, and local infrastructure.”

“As Massachusetts works to meet ambitious energy and emission reduction goals, the Green Communities program gives municipal partners the resources they need to continue building upon the substantial energy progress each city and town has already made,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to the continued success in energy innovation these grants will ensure across the Commonwealth.”

Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding. The grants provide financial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities’ clean energy goals. Two-hundred forty Massachusetts cities and towns have currently earned the Green Communities designation. This eighth annual round of DOER Green Communities competitive grants is awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. Grants are capped at $250,000 per municipality.

“The Green Communities program works with cities and towns from the Berkshires to Cape to fund projects that put Massachusetts on the forefront of clean energy innovation,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to providing municipalities with the tools needed to find clean energy solutions that reduce long-term energy costs and strengthen local economies.”

“The efforts of the 90 communities receiving nearly $15 million today are important as we work to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals set forth under the Global Warming Solutions Act,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “These grants represent another milestone for both the communities and the Commonwealth as we continue to work collaboratively to build a clean, resilient, and affordable energy future.”

The grants fund a range projects from ventilation system upgrades and high efficiency lighting to installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities. Also included are projects to install LED streetlights, oil-to-heat pump heating system conversions, electric vehicles, and electric vehicles charging stations.

Acton

$139,461

Framingham

$222,018

Norwell

$149,659

Acushnet

$171,494

Gloucester

$112,852

Pelham

$170,000

Adams

$15,000

Grafton

$165,923

Pembroke

$180,587

Agawam

$201,133

Greenfield

$125,593

Plainville

$250,000

Arlington

$98,052

Halifax

$153,367

Plympton

$239,202

Ashburnham

$20,054

Hamilton

$23,156

Rockport

$193,739

Ashby

$165,036

Hardwick

$158,713

Saugus

$135,565

Ashfield

$34,866

Harvard

$151,009

Somerville

$191,075

Ayer

$174,576

Holliston

$216,245

Southborough

$250,000

Barre

$96,976

Kingston

$158,546

Stoneham

$250,000

Bedford

$182,330

Lakeville

$223,390

Stoughton

$249,722

Belchertown

$79,460

Lexington

$135,564

Stow

$173,452

Berlin

$69,635

Littleton

$238,269

Sunderland

$152,770

Bolton

$221,403

Lowell

$246,523

Sutton

$42,875

Bridgewater

$200,000

Malden

$250,000

Swampscott

$145,406

Brockton

$240,000

Marshfield

$246,661

Tewksbury

$151,036

Brookline

$240,966

Maynard

$104,536

Tyngsborough

$113,101

Buckland

$41,973

Medford

$148,849

Upton

$3,459

Canton

$206,681

Medway

$216,550

Waltham

$250,000

Charlton

$211,235

Melrose

$219,028

Warren

$144,530

Chelmsford

$90,497

Middleborough

$247,440

Webster

$207,772

Cohasset

$193,122

Millis

$219,461

Wenham

$127,086

Concord

$150,880

Milton

$104,661

Westfield

$202,525

Douglas

$220,989

Monson

$232,416

Westwood

$183,783

Dover

$109,142

Montague

$52,536

Weymouth

$225,373

Duxbury

$250,000

Natick

$150,622

Whitman

$148,078

Easthampton

$68,700

New Bedford

$250,000

Winchendon

$189,673

Easton

$218,474

Newton

$111,217

Windsor

$62,800

Essex

$28,929

Northampton

$250,000

Woburn

$139,684

Fitchburg

$248,564

North Andover

$116,254

Worcester

$225,225

Northbridge

$208,949

“Climate change is a priority throughout the Commonwealth, and our MetroWest municipalities are taking proactive, evidence-based approaches that boost energy conservation and often result in new technologies and job creation,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “The leadership at local levels continues to drive innovation.”

“I want to congratulate Ashburnham, Ashby, Barre, Charlton, Hardwick, Monson and Warren on their hard work to earn these Green Communities Grants,” said State Senator Anne Gobi, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “This municipal-state partnership has been so successful and provides much needed assistance to communities as we strive for a cleaner, more sustainable Commonwealth.”

“I want to congratulate all of the towns in my district for receiving these grants, and I am excited to see the positive effects of the Green Communities program in the Worcester Norfolk District,” said State Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “Not only does this program promote a reduction in carbon emissions, but it also provides a lasting and significant cost savings for municipalities. I want to thank the Baker-Polito administration for continuing to recognize this program as an important tool to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Global Warming Solutions Act.”

“The Green Communities program validates the commitment of the Baker-Polito Administration and DOER to support our municipalities in achieving their green energy goals,” said State Representative James Kelcourse (R-Amesbury). “This funding represents a successful collaboration between the state and municipalities to reduce energy consumption.”

Click here for more information on DOER's Green Communities program. All Green Communities commit to reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years.

This press release was produced by the Government of Massachusetts. The views expressed here are the author’s own.